A collection of writing about New Zealand Wine
15 Minute Bottles first release was in 2021, when the collective minds behind the project released their first wine called Test Pots – a Pinot Noir from Central Otago. Varied …
15 Minute Bottles ‘Test Pots’ range Read More
A Pinot Noir from Wanaka – some of the oldest vines in Central Otago. An opaque burgundy in the glass. Perfumed with plum, woody herbs, red cherry, lilac florals and …
Rippon Tinker’s Field Pinot Noir 2017 Read More
A red blend from Hawke’s bay – 70% Carménère, 12% Syrah, 10% Malbec and 8% Mourvèdre, with every batch fermented as individual varieties followed by extended post-maceration on skins. A …
Askerne CSM 2022 Read More
A well-regarded example of an off-dry Riesling – winning the Trophy for Champion Riesling at The National Wine Awards of Aotearoa, and a Gold Medal at NZIWS 2023. Very pale …
Maude East Block Riesling 2023 Read More
An opportunity to re-visit a wine that was my ‘Red Wine of the Year’ for the 2019 vintage. It is the top wine from Destiny Bay – a Waiheke Island …
Destiny Bay ‘Magna Praemia’ 2020 Read More
On a cold early winter lunchtime, I get to meet the maker of one of my favourite wines this year – James Opie of Bryterlater wines. The wine is/was the …
Bryterlater wines from North Canterbury Read More
‘Wine Options’ is a competition where teams of four people combine knowledge, memory, ability to taste, and some inspired guesswork to determine the identity of eight wines. The game is …
Winning ‘Wine Options’ Read More
A wine from our “Lost Labels” evening this week – the vineyard in Karaka, South Auckland is now a modern housing subdivision. Made from Bordeaux varietals – Merlot, Cabernet Franc …
St Nesbit 2010 Read More
A label I believe is no longer operating. This is a Pinotage from West Auckland – a rare varietal to come across in this country – and from a decent …
St. Jerome Kara Creek Pinotage 2009 Read More
Chardonnay from Santa Maria Valley in California. A golden colour in the glass, with flashes of lime green to the edges. The scent is exhuberant, with barrel spices of vanilla, …
Au Bon Climat Chardonnay 2015 Read More